What's Required in New York City
- Exempt from a permit at a 1- or 2-family home when no more than 120 sq ft, no taller than 7'6", at least 3 ft from any lot line, storage-only, and one shed per tax lot (1 RCNY 101-14 Table 1, item 1)
- Storage sheds are permitted in rear yards only
- A shed made of flammable materials within 3 ft of the property line needs plans showing non-flammable construction and size compliance
- Exempt sheds may not be permanently affixed to the land
- Larger or taller sheds are filed as an alteration by a Registered Design Professional (PE or RA) in DOB NOW; permit issued to a Registered General Contractor
- Hired installers need a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license
- Electrical service to a shed requires a separate electrical permit filed by a Licensed Master Electrician
- Landmarked properties need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval
Do You Need a Permit for a Backyard Shed in New York City?
Usually not. The Department of Buildings rule 1 RCNY 101-14 lists the work it treats as a minor alteration, and a backyard storage shed at a one- or two-family home is on the exempt list when it meets five conditions: no more than 120 square feet, no taller than 7 feet 6 inches, at least 3 feet from any lot line, used only to store household goods and tools, and the only such shed on the tax lot. DOB's own homeowner page puts it plainly: up to 120 square feet, no permits needed; above that, plans, approval and permits are required. The rule also calls these sheds "temporary portable freestanding," and DOB adds that they may not be permanently affixed to the land, and that a shed of flammable material within 3 feet of the property line needs plans showing non-flammable construction.
NYC Shed Permit Rules by Scenario
| What you are doing | DOB filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab or custom storage shed up to 120 sq ft and 7'6" high, 3 ft or more from lot lines, one per lot, at a 1- or 2-family home | None | 1 RCNY 101-14 Table 1, item 1; DOB Fences & Backyard Sheds page |
| Shed over 120 sq ft, or taller than 7'6" | Alteration filed by a PE or RA in DOB NOW | DOB Fences & Backyard Sheds page |
| Second shed on the same tax lot | Alteration filing (the exemption allows one shed) | 1 RCNY 101-14 Table 1, item 1(5) |
| Shed within 3 ft of the property line | Plans showing non-flammable materials and size compliance | DOB Fences & Backyard Sheds page |
| Shed anchored to a slab or footing, or used as a workshop or living space | Alteration filing (no longer "temporary portable" storage) | 1 RCNY 101-14 Table 1, item 1 |
| Running power to the shed | Separate electrical permit by a Licensed Master Electrician | DOB Electrical System owner requirements |
| Any shed on a landmarked property | Landmarks Preservation Commission approval first | DOB Fences & Backyard Sheds page |
How Much Does a Shed Permit Cost in NYC?
If your shed fits the exemption, the DOB fee is zero. If it does not, the shed is filed as an alteration to a one-, two- or three-family home under Administrative Code Table 28-112.2 (as amended by Local Law 128 of 2024, in effect since December 21, 2025): a $130 minimum covers the first $5,000 of job cost, plus $2.60 for each additional $1,000. A $12,000 oversized shed therefore carries a filing fee of about $149; a $25,000 one about $182. The larger expense is the Registered Design Professional (PE or RA) who has to prepare and submit the plans, and that fee is set by the market, not by DOB.
Where Can a Shed Go in New York City?
DOB states that storage sheds are permitted in rear yards only, and that prefabricated and custom-built sheds are regulated the same way. Keep it at least 3 feet from every lot line if you want the exemption, and do not block a required window. Zoning rules on rear-yard obstructions still apply even when no permit is needed, and the exemption never overrides the Zoning Resolution, the Energy Code, or another agency's rules, which is why DOB recommends confirming lot lines before you build.
Who Can Install It?
For an exempt shed, you can do it yourself. If you hire someone for any home improvement at a one- to four-family home, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection requires that contractor to hold a Home Improvement Contractor license, which you can verify through DCWP's Instant License Check or by calling 311. A shed that needs a permit is filed by a PE or RA, and the work permit is issued to a Registered General Contractor.
How to Get a Shed Permit in New York City
Measure against the exemption
120 sq ft, 7'6" high, 3 ft from lot lines, rear yard, storage only, one per lot. If all six hold, no DOB filing is needed.
Check lot lines and landmark status
DOB recommends a licensed land surveyor to confirm the shed is inside your property. Landmarked properties go to LPC first.
Hire a licensed installer, or DIY
Homeowners may install an exempt shed themselves; any hired contractor needs a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license.
If it needs a permit, file the alteration
A PE or RA submits plans in DOB NOW: Build. Filing fee: $130 minimum for the first $5,000 of job cost plus $2.60 per $1,000 above that.
Add power only with an electrical permit
A Licensed Master Electrician files the electrical permit and DOB inspects the work; this is separate from the shed itself.